The late Doc Mattioli to receive many tributes at Pocono this weekend

Doc Mattioli may be gone, but he'll never be forgotten. Certainly not here at Pocono Raceway where Sunday's Pocono 400 will be the first race held without the iconic track owner who died in January at age 86.

Many tributes are planned, including a "Welcome to Doc's Place" banner hanging at the tunnel entrance to the infield. In addition, commemorative pins and decals will be for sale to benefit the Mattioli Foundation as well as a special race program cover with a seven-page photo spread inside.

The biggest tributes will come Sunday just prior to the start of the race -- televised by TNT -- when there will be a moment of silence, the playing of taps, a 21-cannon salute and a 90-second video tribute on the Sprint Vision board.

Dr. Rose Mattioli said it will be a very emotional weekend for the entire family, but added: "We’re going to miss him dreadfully, but we’re going to do what he would want us to do, and continue to make everything happen as though he was right here. I know he would appreciate it.”

The Mattioli Foundation has done so much for so many, including the funding for the Mattioli Emergency Center at the Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg and the Mattioli Trauma Cener at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township.

As for the actual race, this could be a fast one. The newly-repaved track is drawing rave reviews with cars picking up speed and getting good grip.

After two tests of testing, practice begins today with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.